Shredded to Bits

Dear Home Ec 101,

My husband loves it when I make mac & cheese from scratch, but so far I’ve yet to find a recipe that I like.  It always just seems bland.  The thing is, I don’t think it was the recipes, I think maybe it’s the cheese I’m using.  I get a large bag of shredded mild cheddar because I can’t bring myself to buy the sharper stuff in the smaller (and significantly more expensive) bags.  Is there a way to add the tang of sharp cheddar without the expense?

Signed,
Mild  Melinda 

Heather Says:

I admit it, I buy the huge offbrand blocks of cheese for use in cooking.  While I’m sure some generics are better than others, the large no name bags of preshredded cheese are fairly low in quality, especially the cheddar. In my grocery store, ounce for ounce it costs the same as the much higher quality blocks of generic cheese.

Yes, there is a little work involved in shredding the cheese, but try a side-by-side taste comparison and you may find that it is worth breaking out the grater.

Additionally, the pre-shredded cheese is coated with cellulose to prevent clumping. While it’s certainly not anything to worry about, the off brand at my usual grocery store is pretty heavy handed which does nothing to improve the flavor.

When cheese is eaten alone or in small quantities such as blue cheese sprinkled on a salad, I do spend a little more on a quality brand. With some foods there is more satisfaction in a smaller serving of high quality and I have found this to be especially true for some varieties of cheeses.

Send your domestic questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.

What Does Your Power Company Offer Regarding CFLs and Other Initiatives?

Heather says:

Frequent Home Ec commenter Rachel gave me a fantastic idea a few moments ago.  She sent me a link to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s current green promotion.  If you do an online energy audit you receive two CFLs.  It’s active frugality folks.

Santee Cooper recently offered  12 free CFLs. They also issue low interest loans to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency and run a green energy buy back program where those who invest in alternative energy such as solar cells or wind power can sell their excess energy back to the grid.

Sometimes these programs are not well promoted and we would love to help get the word out.

Home Eccers, what is your power provider doing?

Are they offering incentives for efficiency, CFL promotions, or other green initiatives? If so write about it on your blog.  In the Mr. Linky below give your general location, your power company’s name and link to your post.

If you don’t have a blog, just share the information in the comments.

Frugal Find: COFFEE-MATE

Heather says:

It is no secret, I love my coffee.  Give me a mug with a splash of milk and a pinch of cinnamon and you’ll win a special place in my heart.  I have a function I attend weekly, where coffee is consumed in mass quantities.  I know your curiosity is piqued greatly by the term function, but I’m elaborating, except to tease you  a little more.  The hostess always has a ready supply of fancy flavored creamers, but never minds when I dig into her fridge for my lowly splash of milk.

I was excited to find that COFFEE-MATE is offering a coupon for a free bottle of their product up to $4.50 in value in return for completing a short survey.  I know the hostess will appreciate it and I assume many of you will, too.

(HT Farm Home Life)